Family Counselling

Lesson Structure: Family Counselling BPS213

Nature & Scope of Families
Different types of families
Traditional Family Structures
Family Systems
Cultural variations
Family Lifecycles
Family Dynamics
Crises
Changing cultures (immigrant families)
Evolving Structures (Religion, new siblings, departing siblings, changing parents, incoming grandparents)
Breakdowns
Merging two families
Abuse
Violence
Death
Illness
Changing location (losing friends etc)
Changing income (loss of job etc)
Disintigration & Reintigration
History
How are dynamics different & similar today to in the past.
How did we cope with family problems in the past in different places, cultures etc.
What can we learn from this? How can we draw strength from knowing all this is not new.
Identifying Problems
What can we learn from this? How can we draw strength from knowing all this is not new.
How did we cope with family problems in the past in different places, cultures etc.
How are dynamics different & similar today to in the past.
Patterns
Critical incidents
Long standing incidents
Common problems for families
Common problems for couples
Support Structures
What support services might be accessed
Extended family
Community services
Social networks
Religion
Types of counselling, -individual, Group Work etc (incl. problems with Group work) etc.
Approaches to Family Therapy I
Approaches to Family Therapy II
Conducting Initial Interviews/Sessions
Considering Solutions
Determining Roles
Establishing Rules
Case Study
Consider a situation establish & consider alternative strategies & select a strategy.

Learning Goals: Family Counselling BPS213

Describe family diversity in terms of a variety of factors including structure and function.
Explain the interactions and motivations at work in different families.
Describe how we have dealt with family problems in the past; then evaluate the results of these past strategies, and learn from those results.
Determine precisely what problems exist in a family; and evaluate the relative significance of those different problems.
Identify and compare support options that may be available to a family with problems
Understand what is meant by a family systems approach to counselling and describe different theoretical perspectives.
Describe further theoretical approaches to family therapy and understand the usefulness of an integrated approach.
Plan the initial interview for a couple or for a family, in need of counselling.
Identify optional approaches for counselling a family or couple with problems.
Plan a program of counselling and if relevant, other strategies, to address a family or couple in crisis.


This course is accredited by ACCPH and allows you to join as a professional member after completion. Membership allows you to add the letters MACCPH after your name (post-nominals).